Brush head

ABSTRACT

An interproximal squirt brush, includes a solution container having a solution chamber for containing a solution and a hollow nozzle head having an opening communicating with the solution chamber; and a brush head having an elongated retention portion replaceably coupling at the opening of the nozzle head and a brush portion extended from the retention portion, wherein a clearance is formed between the opening and the retention portion of the brush head for enabling the solution from the solution chamber being discharged to the brush portion of the brush head along the retention portion.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application, application Ser.No. 12/932,533, filed Feb. 25, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a squirt brush, and more particular toan interproximal squirt brush, wherein a brush head is replaceablycoupled with a solution container for dispensing solution from thesolution container to the brush head, wherein the solution container hasa stopper which stops/controls the solution to be drawn back into thesolution container.

Description of Related Arts

A squirt brush is commonly used in medical field or in cosmeticindustry. For example, the squirt brush in medical/dental field can beused to clean inner layer and outer layer of the enamel of the teeth asa tooth cleaning tool. Generally speaking, the squirt brush comprises asolution container and a brush head affixed thereto such that thesolution inside the solution container can be discharged to the brushhead, such as wad of cotton or an applicator tip made of different kindsof materials.

Accordingly, gum disease (periodontitis) is one of the common dentalproblems. Periodontal disease, especially in the early stages, isusually not painful such that many people having gum disease do not evenrealize it. Researches report that the periodontal disease is aninfection in the gums caused by the bacteria in plaque, wherein plaqueand bacteria build up on and between the teeth. In addition, accordingto the research done by China Times 2009, gum disease (periodontitis)can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. To prevent thegum disease, dentists always suggest having a better oral hygiene bybrushing and flossing regularly via the traditional interproximal brush.In addition, mouthwash is also considered as one of the effectivemethods for removing plaque and bacteria. By reducing the amount ofplaque on your teeth, you can reduce the amount of bacteria in yourmouth.

Brushing method is the most common method for removing plaque built-upon the teeth. However, due to the structure of the toothbrush, thebristles of the toothbrush cannot effectively remove the plaque from theareas between teeth and around the gums. Therefore, flossing becomes theeffective way to help the user to remove plaque and debris from betweenthe teeth, especially the areas inaccessible to the toothbrush. It isideal to use the mouthwash after brushing and/or flossing since themouthwash with medicament is capable of not only effectively removingoral bacteria and stain on the teeth but also reducing bad breath.

However, the flossing technique of holding the floss by hand leads todifferent operational result depending on the users. Flossing requiresthe user to floss up, down, right, left, front, and back. This six-stepprocess is too cumbersome and time consuming. Therefore, theconventional floss is disadvantageous in practical use. An improvedtoothpick, which combines the advantages of both toothbrush, floss, andmouthwash, comprises a brush head having a size adapted to fit betweenthe teeth and gum line to brush the areas thereof. Due to the frictionbetween the brush head and the gum line, tenderness during dry brushingalways gives discomfort to the user. An improper brushing the gum linemay even cause the gum bleeding.

Therefore, the squirt brush can achieve the above mentioned advantagesby discharging the mouthwash solution in the container body to the brushhead while the brush head is small enough to fit between the teeth forremoving the plaque from the areas between teeth and around the gums.

Another example of the squirt brush being commonly used in cosmeticindustry forms a cotton swab apparatus. Instead of having a toothbrushing type brush head for medical use, the squirt brush for cosmeticindustry comprises a small wad of cotton wrapped around one end of abrush arm such that the solution, such as cleaning solution ordisinfecting solution, can be discharged from the solution container tothe cotton end of the brush arm.

However, the squirt brush has a major drawback that the brush headcannot be replaced. In other words, once the brush head is affixed tothe solution container, the squirt brush with both the brush head andthe solution container must be disposed after use. Therefore, the squirtbrush is considered as a one-time use apparatus or a disposable tool.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides an interproximalsquirt brush, wherein a brush head is replaceably coupled with asolution container for dispensing solution from the solution containerto the brush head.

Another advantage of the invention is to an interproximal squirt brush,wherein a clearance is formed when the brush arm is replaceably coupledat an opening of the solution container for enabling the solutionpassing through the clearance towards the brush member.

Another advantage of the invention is to an interproximal squirt brush,wherein not only the brush head is replaceably mounted to the bottlecontainer but also the washing solution can be refilled into the bottlecontainer so as to extend the service life span of the interproximalsquirt brush of the present invention. For example, the washing solutioncan be easily replaced by removing a rubber stopper at the bottom of thebottle container.

Another advantage of the invention is to an interproximal squirt brush,wherein the coupling operation of the brush head is simple and easy byone clip operation.

Another advantage of the invention is to an interproximal squirt brush,wherein only the brush head is replaced from the solution container soas to minimize the waste of the material of the present invention.

Another advantage of the invention is to an interproximal squirt brush,wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ inthe present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects.Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic andefficient solution not only for enabling the brush head to be replacedfrom the solution container but also enabling different types of brushheads to be used for the solution container.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by providing an interproximal squirt brush,which comprises a solution container and a brush head replaceablycoupling with the solution container.

The solution container has a solution chamber for containing a solutionand a hollow nozzle head having an opening communicating with thesolution chamber.

The brush head has an elongated retention portion replaceably couplingat the opening of the nozzle head and a brush portion extended from theretention portion, wherein a clearance is formed between the opening andthe retention portion of the brush head for enabling the solution fromthe solution chamber being discharged to the brush portion of the brushhead along the retention portion.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interproximal squirt brush accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an elastic latch of the interproximalsquirt brush according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the elastic latch at an unlocked position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the elastic latch of the interproximalsquirt brush according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the elastic latch at a locked position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative mode of the solution container of theinterproximal squirt brush according to the above preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative mode of the brush head of theinterproximal squirt brush according to the above preferred embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an interproximal squirt brushaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated, wherein the interproximal squirt brush comprises a solutioncontainer 10 and a brush head 20.

The solution container 10 has a solution chamber 11 for containing asolution and a hollow nozzle head 12 having an opening 121 communicatingwith the solution chamber 11.

The brush head 20 has an elongated retention portion 21 replaceablycoupling at the opening 121 of the nozzle head 12 and a brush portion 22extended from the retention portion 21, wherein a clearance 201 isformed between the opening 121 and the retention portion 21 of the brushhead 20 for enabling the solution from the solution chamber 11 beingdischarged to the brush portion 22 of the brush head 20 along theretention portion 21 thereof.

The solution container 10 comprises a solution supplier 14 defining thesolution chamber 11 therein and an elongated solution delivering tube 15extended from the solution supplier 14 to the nozzle head 12, whereinwhen the solution supplier 14 is actuated, such as operated by a pumpdevice to controllably pump the solution to the nozzle head 12 throughthe solution delivering tube 15, the solution is discharged to the brushhead 20 through the clearance 201.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the solution container 10 comprises anelastic latch 13 provided at the nozzle head 12 for detachably lockingthe retention portion 21 of the brush head 20 in position. Accordingly,the elastic latch 13, which is made of elastic material, is integrallyformed with the nozzle head 12 at the opening 121 thereof to form alocking unit in order to detachably retain the brush head 20 inposition.

The elastic latch 13 has a resilient channel 131 aligning with theopening 121 and arranged in such a manner that when the retentionportion 21 of the brush head 20 is disposed along the resilient channel131, the inner wall of the resilient channel 131 is slightly deformed todefine the clearance 201 therebetween. In particular, the resilientchannel 131 is formed at the opening 121 of the nozzle head 12, suchthat when the retention portion 21 of the brush head 20 is disposedalong the resilient channel 131, the brush head 20 is held at theopening 121 of the nozzle head 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic latch 13 comprises a holdingmember 132 defining the resilient channel 131 therealong, and a lockingmember 133 having one flexible edge 133A integrally extending from theholding member 132 and an opposed locking edge 133B detachably couplingwith the holding member 132 to retain the retention portion 21 of thebrush head 20 along the resilient channel 131.

As it is mentioned above, the elastic latch 13 is integrally formed withthe nozzle head 12, wherein the holding member 132 forms at a bottomsurrounding wall of the nozzle head 12 while the locking member 133forms at a top surrounding wall of the nozzle head 12. Therefore, thebrush head 20 can be directly coupled at the nozzle head 12 through theelastic latch 13.

The resilient channel 131 is longitudinally formed at the holding member132 to align with the opening 121 of the nozzle head 12, wherein theresilient channel 131 has a rear opening communicating with the solutionchamber 11 through the nozzle head 12, a front opening defining at theopening 121 of the nozzle head 12, and a top opening communicatingbetween the front and rear openings. In other words, when the holdingmember 132 is folded on top of the locking member 133, the top openingof the resilient channel 131 is covered by the locking member 133 toform the elongated resilient channel 131 with front and rear openings.

In addition, the resilient channel 131 has a non-circular cross sectionand the retention portion 21 of the brush head 20 has a circular crosssection, such that the clearance 201 is formed when the retentionportion 21 of the brush head 20 is disposed along the resilient channel131. Preferably, the resilient channel 131 has a rectangular crosssection and defines two inner sidewalls to tangently contact with theretention portion 21 of the brush head 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible edge of the locking member 133 isintegrally extended from the holding member 132 to form a one-pieceintegrated structure with a C-shaped clipping configuration. The lockingmember 133 is configured as a locking flap foldably extended form theholding member 132. Therefore, when the locking member 133 is folded toopen up the top opening of the resilient channel 131, the retentionportion 21 of the brush head 20 is adapted to slidably dispose in theresilient channel 131.

According to the preferred embodiment, the holding member 132 has aresilient cavity 134 provided close to the flexible edge of the lockingmember 132 and a latch cavity 135 provided at a sidewall of the holdingmember 132 and arranged in such a manner that when the locking member133 is folded on the holding member 132 to engage the locking edge withthe latch cavity 135, the resilient cavity 134 is slightly deformed toapply an resilient force at the locking edge of the locking member 133so as to substantially lock up the locking member 133 with the holdingmember 132.

Accordingly, the resilient cavity 134 is longitudinally formed at theholding member 132 at a position adjacent to the resilient channel 131,wherein the resilient cavity 134 provides enough space for the lockingmember 132 to fold on the holding member 132. In addition, the lockingmember 133 further comprises a reinforcing member 136 integrallyextended to fit into the resilient cavity 134 for ensuring the resilientforce being transmitted to the locking edge of the locking member 133.

The reinforcing member 136 is integrally and downwardly extended fromthe bottom side of the locking member 133 to fit into the resilientcavity 134 when the locking member 133 is folded on top of the holdingmember 132. In particularly, the reinforcing member 136 has a taperedshape to ensure the reinforcing member 136 being fitting into theresilient cavity 134.

The latch cavity 135 is embodied as an elongated latch slotlongitudinally formed at the sidewall of the holding member 132. Thelocking edge of the locking member 133 has a L-shaped hooking crosssection to engage with the latch cavity 135 so as to latch up thelocking member 133 with the holding member 132. Accordingly, theresilient channel 131 is positioned between the resilient cavity 134 andthe latch cavity 135, wherein when the locking member 133 is folded tothe holding member 132 that the reinforcing member 136 fits into theresilient cavity 134 and the locking edge of the locking member 133engages with the latch cavity 135, the two sidewalls of the resilientchannel 131 are pressed towards each other to slightly deform the sizeof the resilient channel 131. Therefore, the retention portion 21 of thebrush head 20 is pressed between the two inner sidewalls of theresilient channel 131 to retain the brush head 20 in position. It isworth mentioning that the clearance 201 is formed between the two innersidewalls of the resilient channel 131 for enabling the solution beingdischarged towards the brush portion 22 of the brush head 20. Inaddition, the resilient channel 131 provides enough resilient force atthe inner sidewalls to retain the brush head 20 in position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the brush head 20 comprises an elongated brush arm23 defining the retention portion 21 thereat, and a brush member 24provided at a free end of the brush arm 23 to define the brush portion22 thereat.

The brush arm 23, which is made of bendable material such as metal wire,is a twist wire arm, wherein the tail portion of the brush arm 23, i.e.the retention portion 21, is engaged within the resilient channel 131.

The brush member 24, according to the preferred embodiment, comprises aplurality of wire bristles 241, preferably made of nylon, radiallyextended from the brush arm 23 such that when the solution is dischargedfrom the opening 121 of the nozzle head 12, the solution will be guidedto flow along the brush arm 23 towards the wire bristles 241 of thebrush member 24. In addition, the solution will then be guided toradially and outwardly flow at the wire bristles 241 such that solutionwill be retained at the wire bristles 241.

Accordingly, the brush head 20 of the preferred embodiment can used inmedical field that the wire bristles 241 is adapted for fitting betweenthe teeth and around the gum line to perform the brushing and/orflossing action so as to remove the stain and plaque on the teeth. Inaddition, when the solution in the solution container 10 is discharged,the solution is delivered to the wire bristles 241 of the brush member24 through the opening 121 of the nozzle head 12. Therefore, when thebrush member 24 fits between the teeth and gum line during brushingprocess, the solution not only penetrates through the area between theteeth and around the gum line to remove the stain and bad breath, butalso functions as a lubricant to minimize the friction between the brushmember 24 and the gum line so as to control gum disease and reduceuncomfortable feeling to the user.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative mode of the brush head 20′,wherein the brush head 20′ comprises an elongated brush arm 23′ definingthe retention portion 21′ thereat, and a brush member 24′ provided at afree end of the brush arm 23′ to define the brush portion 22′ thereat.

The brush arm 23′, which is made of bendable material such as metalwire, is a twist wire arm, wherein the tail portion of the brush arm23′, i.e. the retention portion 21′, is disposed within the resilientchannel 131′.

The brush member 24′, according to the preferred embodiment, comprises aswab element 241′ provided at the free end of the brush arm 23′.Preferably, the swab element 241′ is a wad of cotton 241′ wrapped aroundthe free end of the brush arm 23′ such that when the solution, such ascosmetic solution, is discharged from the opening 121′ of the nozzlehead 12′, the solution will be guided to flow along the brush arm 23′towards the brush member 24′. In addition, the solution will then beguided to radially and outwardly flow at the swab element 241′ such thatthe swab element 241′ will absorb the solution from the inner portion tothe outer portion so as to retain the solution at the swab element 241′.

It is appreciated that the brush member 23′ comprises a scrub elementprovided at the free end of the brush arm 23′, wherein the scrub elementis a fibrous material such as nylon, polyurethane foam or polyolefins.In other words, the solution is delivered to the scrub element of thebrush member 23′ for providing the scrubbing process.

FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate an alternative mode of the solutioncontainer 10′, wherein the solution container 10′ is made of squeezablematerial arranged in such a manner that when the solution container 10′is squeezed, the solution therein is discharged at the opening 121′along the retention portion 21′ of the brush head 20′ to the brushportion 22′ thereof through the clearance 201′. In particular, the crosssection of the opening 121′ of the solution container 10 is differentfrom the cross section of the retention portion 21′ of the brush head20′, such that when the retention portion 21′ of the brush head 20′ isretained at the opening 121′ of the solution container 10′, theclearance 201′ is formed between the inner wall of the opening 121′ ofthe solution container 10′ and the outer side of the retention portion21′ of the brush head 20′.

The solution container 10′ is preferably made of plastic such that auser is able to squeeze the solution container 10′ to compress thesolution chamber 11 to dispense the solution therein through the opening121′ of the nozzle head 12′. The nozzle head 12′ is made to have asupportive and rigid structure to substantially support the brush head20′ so as to prevent the nozzle head 12′ from being bent. Accordingly,the nozzle head 12′ is integrally extended from the solution container10′ to communicate with the solution chamber 11′. The solution container10′ is embodied as a one-piece integral member adapted to be made byinjection molding techniques, so as to minimize the manufacturing costof the interproximal squirt brush of the present invention.

It is worth mentioning that the solution containers 10, 10′ and thebrush heads 20, 20′ according to the preferred embodiment and theiralternatives are interchangeable such that the user is able to selectdifferent types of brush head 20 to be used. The solution can be wateror medicament commonly sold in market for removing oral bacteria and badbreath. It is worth to mention that the user is able to detach thenozzle head 12 to refill the solution in the solution container. Inaddition, the solution can be gas solution or liquid solution containedin the solution container 10, 10′.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interproximal squirt brush, comprising: asolution container having a solution chamber for containing a solutionand a hollow nozzle head having an opening communicating with saidsolution chamber, wherein a resilient channel is aligned with saidopening; and a brush head having an elongated retention portionreplaceably coupling at said opening of said nozzle head and a brushportion extended from said retention portion, wherein a clearance isformed between said opening and said retention portion of said brushhead for enabling said solution from said solution chamber beingdischarged to said brush portion of said brush head along said retentionportion, wherein when said retention portion of said brush head isdisposed along said resilient channel, an inner wall of said resilientchannel is slightly deformed to define said clearance therebetween,wherein said solution container comprises an elastic latch provided atsaid nozzle head for detachably locking said retention portion of saidbrush head in position, wherein said resilient channel is defined atsaid elastic latch to align with said opening, wherein said elasticlatch further has a resilient cavity and a latch cavity, wherein saidelastic latch comprises a holding member defining said resilient channeltherealong, and a locking member having one flexible edge integrallyextending from said holding member and an opposed locking edgedetachably coupling with said locking member to retain said retentionportion of said brush head along said resilient channel, wherein saidresilient cavity is provided at said holding member close to saidflexible edge of said locking member, wherein said latch cavity isprovided at a sidewall of said holding member and arranged in such amanner that when said locking member is folded on said holding member toengage said locking edge with said latch cavity, said resilient cavityis slightly deformed to apply an resilient force at said locking edge ofsaid locking member so as to substantially lock up said locking memberwith said holding member.
 2. The interproximal squirt brush, as recitedin claim 1, wherein said resilient channel is positioned between saidresilient cavity and said latch cavity, such that when said lockingmember is folded to said holding member, two sidewalls of said resilientchannel are pressed towards each other to slightly deform a size of saidresilient channel so as to retain said retention portion of the saidbrush head in position.
 3. The interproximal squirt brush, as recited inclaim 2, wherein said locking member further comprises a reinforcingmember integrally extended to fit into said resilient cavity forensuring said resilient force being transmitted to said locking edge ofsaid locking member.
 4. The interproximal squirt brush, as recited inclaim 3, wherein said reinforcing member has a tapered shape fittinginto said resilient cavity.
 5. The interproximal squirt brush, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said elastic latch is integrally formed withsaid nozzle head at said opening thereof at a position that said lockingmember forms at a top surrounding wall of said nozzle head.
 6. Theinterproximal squirt brush, as recited in claim 1, wherein saidresilient channel has a non-circular cross section and said retentionportion of said brush head has a circular cross section, such that saidclearance is formed when said retention portion of said brush head isdisposed along said resilient channel.
 7. The interproximal squirtbrush, as recited in claim 1, wherein said brush head comprises anelongated brush arm defining said retention portion thereat, and a brushmember provided at a free end of said brush arm to define said brushportion thereat.
 8. The interproximal squirt brush, as recited in claim7, wherein said brush member comprises a plurality of wire bristlesradially extended from said brush arm, such that when said solution isdischarged from said opening of said nozzle head, said solution isguided to flow along said brush arm towards said wire bristles of saidbrush member.
 9. The interproximal squirt brush, as recited in claim 7,wherein said brush member comprises a swab element provided at saidbrush arm, such that when said solution is discharged from said openingof said nozzle head, said solution is guided to flow along said brusharm towards said swab element of said brush member.
 10. Theinterproximal squirt brush, as recited in claim 1, wherein said solutioncontainer comprises a solution supplier defining said solution chambertherein and an elongated solution delivering tube extended from saidsolution supplier to said nozzle head, such that when said solutionsupplier is actuated, said solution is discharged to said brush headthrough said clearance.
 11. The interproximal squirt brush, as recitedin claim 1, wherein said solution container is made of squeezablematerial arranged in such a manner that when said solution container issqueezed, said solution therein is discharged along said retentionportion of said brush head to said brush portion thereof through saidclearance.